How to Give Medicine to a Bird Using a Dropper

Methods of administration of medication, as well as capture and restraint techniques, vary greatly depending on the size and temperament of the bird and your experience as a bird handler.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Work Gloves
• Bath Towels
• Bird Cages
• Bird Perches
• Veterinarian

1. Consult with an avian veterinarian to determine which medication technique is best - oral, injection, a gavage tube (mixing medication and food) or by adding medication to food or water.
2. Ask for a "hands-on" demonstration if you are a beginner.
3. Fill the dropper with the prescribed dose of medication and place it within easy reach.
4. Capture the bird and hold it gently in your hand or wrapped in a towel, head exposed and tilted upward, allowing access to the mouth.
5. Restrain wings and legs in your grasp to prevent injury or escape.
6. Place dropper at corner of mouth and slowly dispense medication by squeezing the dropper bulb and allow the medication to trickle between the upper and lower beak into the back of the mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Some birds will take medication from a dropper while seated on their perch, without restraint. Try this first; you might get lucky.
• Some birds will readily take medication placed in their food or water. Check with your veterinarian before attempting this.
• Remain calm and relaxed; do not excite the bird with sudden movements or loud noises, and keep other pets and unfamiliar people away.
• Ask your avian veterinarian or pet shop owner for a demonstration on handling or medicating birds.
• Shut all outside doors and windows before you open the cage door.
• Large birds can inflict serious wounds so wear protective gloves if your bird is known to bite or is not accustomed to being handled.
• Avoid having dogs or cats present; if the bird should escape, it may be seriously injured or even killed.
• Avoid squeezing the bird tightly; this can restrict respiration and cause injury or death by suffocation.
• Release the bird if it becomes overly excited or continues to struggle intensely.
• Do not restrain a weak, severely ill bird as the stress from capture and handling could result in death.
• Use only medication prescribed for this bird, by an avian veterinarian, for this specific medical condition.